Leaving Le Puy in May?

[Luka]

As I hope to leave Le Puy on May 13, and I saw other fellow pilgrims here starting from Le Puy in May, I was just wondering if I might run into one of you. Maybe all the May starters can share their dates here?

I myself hope to start walking from Paray-le-Monial the 4th of May. Then walk to the Way of Cluny / GR3 and then on to Le Puy. I hope to arrive there the 12th of May, so I can leave Le Puy just the day before Ascension Day.

And of course we can share our jitters here! I am 12 sleeps away from departure...

 

[TMcA]

If you happen to be crossing the Aubrac Plateau around May 24, make sure you book ahead for your lodging for the nights around that date. That is the weekend of la Transhumance sur l'Aubrac and a crush of visitors descends upon the region for this event. Here's my post about Aubrac with a little information on la Transhumance.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/hiking-in-may-my-experience.27133/

I will be starting from Cahors on May 15.

Bon chemin!

 

[Luka]

Thanks for the warning! May isn't an easy month to walk the Via Podiensis...
I guess I will pass the village of Aubrac on Monday the 18th, so I should be safe.

 

[sunsurf]

Hi Luka, I hope you are planning to blog. I am Afrikaans speaking, so your Dutch blogs are easy to follow. In August last year a friend and I walked from Cluny to Montbrison and then took a bus to Le Puy. We had the way almost to ourselves - met only 2 other pilgrims on 2 different occasions. Our demi-pension was all over fantastic and the local people in that region are most helpful and friendly and special. Bon chemin! Dolfina

 

[Luka]

Merci! Jitters all over already...
And yes, my plan is to continue my blog lonneke.gaatverweg.nl

 

[kayagee66]

Thanks for the warning! May isn't an easy month to walk the Via Podiensis...
I guess I will pass the village of Aubrac on Monday the 18th, so I should be safe.

I'm planning to walk the Via Podiensis next May, why do you say that May isn't an easy month to walk it?

 

[Luka]

@kayagee66 Because it is the most popular month for French hikers / pilgrims. May is full of long weekends because there are so many festive days: 1st May, 8th May, Ascencion day, Pentecost... And the French tend to book (way) ahead. Especially organised hiking groups book their albergues weeks or months in advance. It is possible (I did it), but you might have to book (way) ahead too.

 

[stewartza]

That is a bit distressing to hear as I was wanting to walk this May. I love doing my caminos with very little forward planning. I only decided yesterday to go in two week's time. I have been learning French for the past two years and thought the walk from Le Puy would help to improve my French, but I am now having doubts about it.

 

[NavyBlue]

May is full of long weekends because there are so many festive days: 1st May, 8th May, Ascencion day, Pentecost...

2016 is special as the 1st and 8th May will be sundays, i.e. no long week-ends.
Easter was really soon this year and Ascension day will be past when you leave. Consider only Pentecost (sat/sun/mon), which IMO will be nothing great without any other holiday nearby to build a french "pont" (extended week-end). Nothing else before the 14th of July.

May is a busy month on the Le Puy, with Spring (hopefully) calling the french hikers out of their homes.

From my experience (in August) booking ahead for two days was enough. Just beware of saturday nights as some gites might be occupied by wedding parties. Trying to book early from abroad will bring complexity as the hosts would require deposits through (costly) bank transfers.

And yes, having a MMDD is a must.

 

[BlackRocker57]

I will be walking from Moissac starting 23 May ... hope to meet/see some of you along the way re GR65 aka via Podiensis in May, I concur with Luka ... I have been booking my accommodation and missed out on several ’preferred‘ or recommended places as they were booked 12 months ahead! It is already busy, busy on several sections because of spring school hols and family groups out walking or riding ... so my prospective hosts tell me.

 

[tony downey]

see you there, I leave on the same day

not sure where to stay and how much to do each day, just going to go with the flow